Art Milestones & Millstones of 2008

ROSS WILLIAM HAMILTON/THE OREGONIANGavin Shettler and Kelly Rauer of the Portland Art Center

In the art world, things are usually in a state of dramatic flux. But this year, the drama will be even more heightened because so much is at stake: 2009 is the year of the reckoning.

The driving narrative is, of course, the grievous economy. Cash flow is tight, even for some of the wealthy. Foundation and corporate giving has therefore slowed, as has retail spending. That will affect everyone: museums, galleries, artists and the public.

Which institutions and businesses will thrive? Which ones will go belly up? That depends on who was following the aspirational script of the past several years. In other words, who was living beyond their means? We'll begin to find out in 2009.

Meanwhile, let's raise a beverage -- Alka Seltzer, anyone? -- and look back at some of the crucial dips, swings and swerves of 2008.

Following the dream: Robert Rauschenberg wasn't a Portlander, but he had connections to Portland through his son, photographer and Blue Sky Gallery co-founder Christopher Rauschenberg. After Robert Rauschenberg died May 12, Blue Sky hosted one of the first Rauschenberg shows in the country after his death: a dozen prints based on photographs of China that Rauschenberg shot years before. The show may not have been the artist's strongest work, but it testified to Rauschenberg's legendary character. He was always curious and open and he didn't over-edit his creative impulses. He was also one of the least cynical artists of his generation, and that's a quality to be emulated by everyone, artist and non-artist alike.

Finding the "closer" within: Every arts institution, it seems, has been physically expanding its digs and developing new programs. And thus, everyone seems to be asking for money in patron-poor Oregon, including the Oregon College of Art & Craft and the Pacific Northwest College of Art. Both are approaching the end of major capital campaigns, but neither has yet to "close the deal." Question: How difficult will it be for these institutions to reach their final goals during a recession that probably will wreak havoc for at least a few more financial quarters?

Another Buchanan legacy: When the Portland Art Museum finalized its purchase of the building at 934 S.W. Salmon St. in November, it planted the seeds for the future; that location is part of a block where the museum will expand its campus at some point. But the cost and hassle were more than they should have been. Previous director John Buchanan ignored heads-up overtures from professional investor Robert Miller, who was planning to develop a condominium on that site. The museum thus had to purchase the property and buy out Miller, a group of developers and their plans.

High-class maneuvers: It's expanding its campus, developing new degree programs and aggressively pursuing connections all over the world to create a cultural power base. Clearly, the Pacific Northwest College of Art aspires to be more than the little regional art college it has long been. But perhaps the most emphatic sign of its possible arrival was how it politically outmaneuvered other powerful players -- the Historic Portland Public Market Foundation and developer Melvin Mark -- to finally acquire the building at 511 N.W. Broadway for free. Now, as it celebrates its centennial, the college gazes at a future horizon once inconceivable: to be Portland's intellectual nerve center.

Surviving the Pearl District: Who can recall when art galleries and artists were the Pearl District's dominant population? Galleries are now merely sprinkled here and there among the area's many condos, restaurants, cafes, clothing stores and more. To the galleries, as they tackle the 2009 economy and try to thrive on the front edge of city's glitziest consumer enclave: Watch your balance sheets and keep the arts alive in the Pearl District!

A generational clash: The closing of the Portland Art Center was about a young director, Gavin Shettler, who assumed too much responsibility, clashed with the center's board and then with a potential savior-donor, Henry Hillman Jr. The meltdown had a clarifying effect on Portland's larger art world, however, as the city's do-it-yourself DNA has netted a beehive scene worthy of national affection. But can it now shed its preciousness and mature into something more enduring, professional and profound?

Northwest horse race: When Jennifer Gately abruptly resigned her post as curator of Northwest art at the Portland Art Museum, aspiring curators in town flooded the museum with their resumes. But which museum bigwig will ultimately decide who gets the nod? Patron and art doyenne Arlene Schnitzer, who funded the position and hand-picked Gately? Or Bruce Guenther, whose duties as the museum's chief curator entitles him to hire and fire staff under his wing?

A big planet, pulled by gravity: It was a love affair that had to end. When it arrived four years ago, the public thought the art fair at the Jupiter Hotel meant the local art scene had grown into a player worthy of national observation. Then, in February, the fair closed because co-organizers Stuart Horodner and Laurel Gitlen wanted to do other things, and because participating galleries weren't selling enough art during the weekend art fest. In other words, collectors weren't coming to visit.

Why we love to write reviews: Often, negative reviews can be more interesting and instructive than positive ones. But there's not much joy writing what critics call "takedowns." Which is why the gorgeous, inspiring exhibits this year by Lucinda Parker, Lee Kelly, Adam Sorensen, Michael Dailey, Roger Ballen and James Lavadour, among others, were so applauded in 2008. They made looking at art a pleasure.

That '70s show: So many new artists, curators, strategists and others have come to Portland in the past decade. Still, that influx of talent hasn't changed Portland's version of low bone density and physical fragility. Where are the city's future cultural visionaries? Please, step forward, all of you bright, articulate, plain-spoken yet eloquent leaders and visionaries. The Rose City really, truly needs you!

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